Getting to Know You!

[RebeccaAnn]

Real name: Rebecca (Ann)

Where do you live? St. Louis, MO

Explanation of your handle: It's my name!

Age (general or specific): 42

Occupation: right now I'm doing database work from home, staying home to care for my 14 month-old son

Favorite bike: would Love either a Rivendell or a Luna (I left this in from the first post to this thread. My dream bike is a Rivendell, I'd be very, very happy with a Luna!)

What's in your stable? 94 Bridgestone RB-T, 2003 Terry Susan B., 1968 Schwinn Sting Ray Pixie (purple), Nashbar Kid Carrier

Fastest speed on a road bike? where? when? Probably going downhill on the Pixie in 1969! Since then I've learned to use my brakes.

What is the biggest lie you've ever told: "No, really, it's not a problem." A recurring lie that causes so many problems.

Most memorable moment on my bike: Again, going downhill on that Pixie. What a feeling! Perhaps I should put streamers on the Susan B....

Most fun ever had on a bike? My inlaws have a recumbent tandem. The 3 mile ride on the tandem with my husband was both my most fun and my most frustrating ride! On a regular ride, I enjoy exploring new routes alone or with a small group.
__________________

[CorsairMac]

Welcome to the board Rebecca!! I Love the name of your Terry bike and absolutely you should put streamers on the Susan B - Pink Streamers!!!

[mtnmunch]

I just spent the past 2 hours reading all 27 pages. Wow that's alot.

This is my first post here:

Real name: Diana

Where do you live? Waterbury, CT

Explanation of your handle: My Dad used to call me Munchkin or Munchiey (before I munched too much) and I love being on top of mountains (although never got to the top via a bike, yet!)

Explanation of your avatar: One of the very rare photos of me riding while on our last vacation in Maine.

Age (general or specific): 26.5

Occupation: Multimedia Specialist (glorified name for a web designer who also ends up doing power point presentations)

Favorite bike: Not sure...kinda new to the whole bike scene. Everything looks good :-)

What's in your stable? Trek 4300

Fastest speed on a road bike? where? when? Hmm..don't have a road bike, but I got up to 19mph on my mountain bike while riding on a road.

Another picture of yourself or your ride? I've got a lot of work ahead of me.



What is the biggest lie you've ever told: I haven't been able to lie since I met my husband. Just lost the ability. hehe.

Most memorable moment on my bike: Hmm...two part answer:

The not so happy most memorable moment. In 1991 my parents bought me a Giant Acapulco 18 spd bike. Only a week into owning it, I was out riding around the neighborhood and was not wearing my new bike helmet. Went flying down a double hair pin hill, my baseball cap started to fly off. I put my right hand up and squeezed the brake with my left hand. Big mistake, all I remember is that. An ambulance, two stitches in my head and a permanent bump are my memories afterwards.

The happy moment. Installing clipless pedals on my bike, and doing my first ride with them and not falling. And still haven't fallen. Although I probably just jinxed myself.

Most fun ever had on a bike? We (hubby and I) just got back from vacation in Maine. The last ride we did, it was all overcast in the morning, but by the time we got to the top of the hill, it cleared up. We had these great views, I put my headphones in, turned on some dance music, and rode happily down the hill feeling great.

------------------------------------------

I've been lurking around reading for the past few days. I found the message board via Denise Goldberg, I read her blog. Which I found through another bike site.

After my accident when I was a kid, I didn't ride much and especially after I got a license. Now my health is in a horrible state and am on blood pressure medicine and have been warned about elevated blood sugar levels. I like to walk but more for leisure, I don't find I press myself as much as I do when I ride.

My biggest problems is getting more riding in and getting over my self consciousness of my size and how slow I am.

Looking forward to reading up more and getting more information. Thanks for the friendly community.

[Grog]

What is the biggest lie you've ever told: I haven't been able to lie since I met my husband. Just lost the ability. hehe.

Is that the lie mtnmunch? just jokin'!

Welcome to this board! I'm sure you'll find plenty of information and a great bunch of girlfriends around here, and inspiration and motivation to keep riding, too... Cheers!

[mom2twins]

Mtmunch, that's a great picture! What a beautiful place to ride.

[mtnmunch]

Grog,
Thank you for the welcome to the board. Yeah that whole lying thing, it's amazing, he looks at me and it's just hopeless I start laughing and it all spills out. I'm hopeless.

Mom2Twins,
It is a really beautiful place. I wish I could say it was my regular place to ride.

[geochick]

My biggest problems is getting more riding in and getting over my self consciousness of my size and how slow I am.

Hey mtnmunch.

Just wanted to let you know that you're definitely not alone - my first time out on the road with a group, a (male) friend of mine joked about how great it was to draft behind me because I blocked so much of the wind. "Gee, thanks, sh-- head!" I've been riding seriously for just a few months now, after about 19 years out of the saddle. And I am still really SLOW. But, I'm making progress and so will you. Just keep at it. I tried to diet when I first started riding and all that did was really screw me up - I bonked on nearly every ride. Since I started paying attention to what my body needs, I'm improving my stamina, and, miraculously, losing weight AND inches.

Keep it up!

[mtnmunch]

Hey mtnmunch.

Just wanted to let you know that you're definitely not alone - my first time out on the road with a group, a (male) friend of mine joked about how great it was to draft behind me because I blocked so much of the wind. "Gee, thanks, sh-- head!" I've been riding seriously for just a few months now, after about 19 years out of the saddle. And I am still really SLOW. But, I'm making progress and so will you. Just keep at it. I tried to diet when I first started riding and all that did was really screw me up - I bonked on nearly every ride. Since I started paying attention to what my body needs, I'm improving my stamina, and, miraculously, losing weight AND inches.

Keep it up!

Thanks geochick!
I'm not sure I would have been able to hold myself back from saying or doing to a friend if they made that comment. hehe.

Thanks for the support, so good to hear from others. Diet is my next major obstacle to tackle. I saw a book mentioned over in the Nutrition section that I was going to check out. I'm really lucky, my husband is a School Library Media Specialist, he's home for the summer, and gets home early, so he does all the cooking and is very supportive of me.

[RoadRaven]

Welcome Kath, Ann and Diana... Hope you all get alot from here
There is a great virtual peloton of fab women here ready to support you
Looking forward to seeing you on the boards

[geochick]

Thanks geochick!
I saw a book mentioned over in the Nutrition section that I was going to check out. I'm really lucky, my husband is a School Library Media Specialist, he's home for the summer, and gets home early, so he does all the cooking and is very supportive of me.

Yay for having a supportive hubby! Mine's still working on it, but he's getting better.

I'm not sure what book you're referencing, but there's a book by Nancy Clark and another dietician/bicyclist (The Cyclists Food Guide) that is wonderful. Lots of matter of fact advice and suggestions/recommendations. That's where I learned that one cannot cut down on carbs without sacrificing performance and stamina.

[mtnmunch]

I think that was the one.

Found the thread.
http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=2973

I'll be placing my order this week, I think I get paid this week. hehe

Thanks ladies, this forum is so much more friendly and supportive than one of the others I was reading at before. So glad to have found you all.

[Ivy Goldberg]

On November 19 I will be doing The El Tour de Tucson century ride. This is my first event, my first everything as a new cyclist. I am riding in memory of my mother, who died last year from leukemia. I decided to make lemonade out of a very lemony experience. If anyone would like to support me in this goal, I would appreciate your donation to The Leukemia/Lymphoma Society. My address is: 1348 Midland Ave, 2K
Bronxville, NY 10708
I am about half way in reaching my goal

With gratitude...

[drplasma64]

I'm so sorry about your mother. My dad has lung cancer, and I know how hard it is to watch a parent be ill with cancer. My heart goes out to you. Good for you for doing the ride!

I can't believe you live on Midland Ave in Bronxville. My mom grew up on Sussex Ave! When my grandparents lived there, Bobby Kennedy was their paperboy for awhile.

[drplasma64]

Real name: Payton
Where do you live? Corvallis, OR

Explanation of your handle: Combination of my & hubby's initials, we're both PhDs and both born in 64...voila..drplasma64

Explanation of your avatar: huh?

Age (general or specific) 40 (gulp!)

Occupation: SAHM and part-time writer/editor for software manuals (having nothing to do with my education, but my brother is a good employer)

Favorite bike: don't know enough to have one

What's in your stable? 1989 (?) Centurion Accordo, waiting for a Trek 7200 FX in a few weeks

Fastest speed on a road bike? where? when? 30 mph, going down hill near my house a week or two ago. For me, that is CRAZY!

Another picture of yourself or your ride? None

What is the biggest lie you've ever told: It's not you, really. I just need space.

Most memorable moment on my bike: hearing "faster mommy, faster" coming from my son on the trail-a-bike behind me.

Most fun ever had on a bike? Riding around Sanibel Island with my kids.

I've been back on the bike for a couple of weeks. I love hearing about all of you gals' accomplishments, it makes me think I can really get better. I did not grow up riding, but bought a bike 16ish years ago for fun and exercise, and promptly moved to a place where I didn't feel comfortable riding. Since then I've always ridden on vacation at my parents, but not regularly. Now I need the exercise, want to set a good example for my kids, love getting out of the house this way. We just moved to an incredibly bike friendly town. I dusted off the old bike, had a tune up and started up again. I really like cycling b/c you actually GO places and see things. Walking is too slow, running to boring, painful and sweaty (for me). I don't mind sweating on bike b/c at least there's always a breeze!

[Wendy]

Welcome, Ivy! I'm very close to you (White Plains). If you're interested in group rides, you should give the Westchester Cycle Club (www.westchestercycleclub.org) a try. They have rides at all levels, and you can go on a couple of rides before you decide whether or not you want to join.